The Bottom Line
Pros
- Giant portions
- Happy, welcoming staff
- Child and family friendly
Cons
- Parking can be awkward
Description
- 771 South Cleveland Avenue St. Paul, MN 55116
- Telephone 651-690-1173
- On-street parking outside. Head north on Cleveland Avenue for the best chance of finding a spot.
Guide Review - The Highland Grill Restaurant
The Highland Grill can be confused with the Highland Cafe, a restaurant-slash-diner on the other side of the Ford Parkway-Cleveland Avenue intersection. The Highland Cafe makes very respectable pancakes, hearty breakfasts, and a good cup of coffee served with a smile.
The Highland Grill is breakfast with smiles, and style. Lunch and dinner have the same panache, plus a little antipodean humor from the Australian co-owner. The part of the menu usually called "appetizers" in other places is named "odds and sods" here.
The Highland Grill describes their menu as "comfort food with flair" and the dishes land just on the right side of too-complicated.
The Breakfast Pizza, sometimes on the menu as a special, is made with roasted tomatoes, marinated chicken, scrambled eggs and fresh herbs, and truly deserves the designation "special". The Jack Cakes, pancakes topped with granola and fresh fruit, are gorgeous, sticky and good for you. Local company Tea Source supply their innovative teas, although adding a many-flavored drink to a many-flavored meal can be too much. Stick to either a calmer dish or a plain tea and all will be well.
For lunch, the lamb burger with tzaziki and arugula is carnivore heaven, and there's an equally good portabella mushroom version for vegetarians. The Moroccan Lamb Stew is a star entree. Local beers and a neat wine selection complement the food nicely.
The Highland Grill is very family-friendly. Children are warmly welcomed, and baskets of toys are provided, although there is likely to be just as much eating as playing.
